Could Reed Bill Prevent Federal Shutdown?

WASHINGTON, D.C. - We are just five days away until a possible government shutdown in Washington, D.C., unless lawmakers can come up with an agreement to continue funding the federal government.

As we’ve been reporting, the House passed a bill last week that would do just that, but it would also defund the Affordable Care Act. Senate Democrats say they will not include a defund of Obamacare in their version of the continuing resolution.

But is there compromise in sight?

WENY News has learned Southern Tier Rep. Tom Reed (R-NY) will introduce a piece of legislation he's calling the "Fairness Continuing Resolution." It will continue to fund the federal government, but instead of defunding Obamacare, it would delay the implementation of Obamacare for one year.

This comes the same day as the Obama Administration announced a one-month delay for small businesses looking to enroll in health care exchanges.

“We’re not talking about repealing it or defunding it any longer, in my opinion, if the Senate can send something over that takes that language out, and I don’t know if they’re going to be able to do that. But if they do, I want to be prepared to keep the government open, but do it in a way that prevents millions of Americans from being hit with this train wreck," Reed told WENY News Washington correspondent Ted Fioraliso.

Reed's bill would also repeal the Obamacare exemption for Members of Congress, congressional staff, and members of the Executive branch.

The Senate is scheduled to begin voting on its version of the continuing resolution Friday. Once passed, that version will go back to the House for their consideration.